Pirates preparing to move from Lynchburg to Bradenton

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Contingent on approval by the Florida State League, the Pirates will soon complete a swap with the Reds that will move the organization’s high Single-A team from Lynchburg, Va., to Bradenton.

You can find the full story here, but here’s the Cliff Notes version:

With the Reds moving their Spring Training home from Sarasota, Fla., to Goodyear, Ariz., next year, Cincinnati no longer had a need for its Single-A team to play in Sarasota. The Reds held discussions with four or five clubs (the Pirates included) about selling their affiliate, and the Pirates proved to be the best fit.

Now, assuming the clubs get approval from the FSL, the Pirates will buy the Sarasota Reds and move the team to Pirate City, where it will become the Bradenton Pirates. The Reds will then finish out the final year of the Pirates’ contract with Lynchburg by moving its Single-A team there.

The Pirates have had a relationship with Lynchburg for the past 15 years.

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